One Piece Episode 1068 is yet another solid entry in the ongoing ever-growing hits catalog of Toei's run with the Wano arc.
Topically it's a grab-bag episode of sorts, jumping around to a few different set pieces. Izo versus CP0, Law and Kid recovering after the battle with Big Mom, Hiyori playing the shamisen over Shogun Orochi, and the ongoing fight on the rooftop between Kaido and Luffy. In prior episodes, I have frequently lamented the sheer breadth of scenes and characters and sub-plots running through Wano, as I feel it pulls the audience in too many directions at once with too little payoff. This episode should theoretically fall within that grievance, but I think it ends up a strong episode despite that for three main reasons.
First and most selfishly, I like all the characters this episode focuses on. It's bias, sue me. But I do think that's part of my issue with the high number of character stories - your mileage with each tale can vary wildly depending on who is in the spotlight.
Second, 1068's varied stories feel impactful because we are getting to see the dramatic conclusions/climaxes to threads that have been built up over the past few years. It can be hard to watch episodes that feel like they barely move the needle forward on too many stories, but this week we get almost the opposite effect where multiple big conclusions land at once. Izo's mortal battle with CP0 and Hiyori revealing her true intentions to Orochi are HUGE moments, and God they just feel great to watch. It's especially satisfying given how the manga handled Izo's death (or rather, didn't), so it's nice to have a more dramatic moment for such a prominent character in the arc.
Third, I think the direction is just superb in this episode. Lots of brilliant shots in this episode that wow in a fundamentally different way than flashy explosion punches. Hiyori is framed by the setting sun while the shadow of her father disappears into smoke as she plays the last song Orochi will ever hear in his life and her reflection glimmers in his eyes. Kaido stands stock still as the scene transitions to the fading memory of Charlotte Linlin when they first met. This is cinema baby, and I can't get enough.
Wandering Son creator's manga about girls in opera school ran from 2011 until this past March― Ohta Publishing announced on Thursday that Takako Shimura's Awajima Hyakkei manga is inspiring an anime. Ohta Publishing has not revealed any further details about the anime adaptation. The coming-of-age omnibus series follows the girls at an opera music school, with each chapter centering around different...
If I were to sum up Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! in a single word, that word would be “cute.”― If I were to sum up Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! in a single word, that word would be “cute.” Shiki and Fuyuki's interactions are a mixture of playful (and sometimes sexual) teasing and heartfelt feelings as the two come to value each other. They have real chemistry—and that drives the anime stra...
Lucas and Steve catch up on the Hunter × Hunter manga in time for the long-awaited new chapter and gush about why, even with years between releases, Hunter × Hunter is worth it.― Lucas and Steve catch up on the Hunter × Hunter manga in time for the long-awaited new chapter and gush about why, even with years between releases, Hunter × Hunter is worth it. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed...
Series previously inspired 52-episode anime in 1993― This year's 24th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine revealed on Wednesday that Gosho Aoyama's Yaiba manga will be getting a new anime adaptation. Aoyama is supervising. The series follows the titular Yaiba Kurogane, a young samurai boy inspired by Miyamoto Musashi, the real-life swordsman who pioneered the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū sty...
Based on the novel by former Nogizaka46 member Kazumi Takayama, trapezium asks its audience to follow one girl who will use anything, and anyone, to achieve her dream.― Trapezium is a strange movie, to say the least. On the surface, it's a rather simple movie that explores youth, their dreams, and the lengths they'll go to achieve those dreams. It's a coming-of-age story wrapped in the veneer of the...
ZeroReq011 remembers what made Spice and Wolf a story for the ages, from its fully realized world and economics to Holo and Lawrence's romantic chemistry.― Back when Funimation was still its own company and not owned by Sony, long before its in-house streaming service was terminated in favor of Crunchyroll's streaming platform, it owned a TV channel. Legal streaming had yet to dominate the Western a...
Nick and Chris recount some of the most frustrating anime cancellations, from the Yuri on Ice movie to the second half of Stars Align.― Nick and Chris recount some of the most frustrating anime cancellations from the second half of Stars Align to the 2007 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood movie. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views...
Welcome to the rankings for the Spring 2024 season! The perfect place to check out which hidden gems might have flown under your radar.― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people rated ...
Producer Masakazu Kubo shares the animation team's dedication to realism, including bringing in a pro golfer to produce the anime's sound effects.― 64-year-old Masakazu Kubo has been planning and producing anime for decades. He's had a major hand in everything from Pokémon and Detective Conan to Teasing Master Takagi-san and Dorohedoro. Recently, he sat down with us to talk about Tonbo!, his attemp...